Motivation of migration activity of youth in the Ukraine’s Carpathian region

Abstract

In recent years, the scale of labor and educational migration from Ukraine has been growing, usually transforming into permanent migration (resettlement). Such situation leads to the threat of demographic and socio-economic development of our country and requires effective mechanisms for regulating migration. The development of such mechanisms needs the study of motives forcing people to migrate. The article is devoted to the investigation of motivational bases of young people’s migration activity in Ukraine’s Carpathian region. According to the results of a sociological survey of young people, a low level of potential internal migration was revealed. At the same time, attitudes for migration abroad are spread enough. The paper reveals that high level of wages and an availability of a job are the main motives for both internal and external possible migration movements. According to the respondents’ opinion, these factors could also deter young people from moving abroad. In addition, the lack of stability and confidence in the future, as well as insufficient opportunities for professional realization, poor working conditions are important motives for possible movement abroad for permanent residence. The study revealed some features of certain regions. Thus, the youth of Zakarpattia region more often, compared to respondents from other regions, chose the following push factors: low wages; lack of stability and confidence in the future; high level of corruption. The lack of work in Ukraine worries mostly respondents from Ivano-Frankivsk region. Chernivtsi region is distinguished by the highest share of those who could be motivated for permanent migration by housing problems. According to the assessment of students and pupils of higher and vocational education institutions, the level of the average salary, which could slow down the mass emigration of young people abroad, has been determined. It is about 800 euros. Persons who would not move abroad under any circumstances make up less than 10% of respondents. The results of the study confirm the need to develop effective mechanisms for regulating the migration activity of young people at the regional and state levels.